]]>http://www.chrischun.com/news/indigo-exhibition/feed/1Meeting Moshahttp://www.chrischun.com/travel/meeting-mosha/
http://www.chrischun.com/travel/meeting-mosha/#commentsSat, 19 Oct 2013 21:24:54 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10152After painting 2 life sized baby elephant sculptures for Elephant Parade, I wanted to visit Mosha – the ‘inspiration’ behind Elephant Parade. Mosha was a baby when she stepped on a landmine and lost part of her front right leg. Each year, Mosha needs a specially built prosthetic leg because she is growing all the […]

]]>After painting 2 life sized baby elephant sculptures for Elephant Parade, I wanted to visit Mosha – the ‘inspiration’ behind Elephant Parade. Mosha was a baby when she stepped on a landmine and lost part of her front right leg. Each year, Mosha needs a specially built prosthetic leg because she is growing all the time. You can learn more about the hospital and my visit by watching the video.

Mosha is now 7 years old.

The hospital is also located next to the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang (about 1 hour from Chiang Mai) which also does amazing work in nurturing, rehabilitating and treating sick and abused elephants. The elephants are the most amazing, intelligent creatures and I am so happy that I am doing my little part in helping raise awareness and money to save the Asian Elephant.

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/travel/meeting-mosha/feed/0New Papyrus Stationeryhttp://www.chrischun.com/news/new-papyrus-stationery/
http://www.chrischun.com/news/new-papyrus-stationery/#commentsFri, 18 Oct 2013 04:45:36 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10136I am so thrilled to let you know that my new range of stationery for Papyrus is now available online. For U.S and UK customers, you can purchase directly either at PapyrusOnline or visit your local Papyrus Store. The Riches of Nature Collection features 6 designs. Each card features my original artwork which has been printed […]

]]>I am so thrilled to let you know that my new range of stationery for Papyrus is now available online. For U.S and UK customers, you can purchase directly either at PapyrusOnline or visit your local Papyrus Store.

This card features embroidered peonies and butterfly

The Riches of Nature Collection features 6 designs. Each card features my original artwork which has been printed onto satin fabric with embroidery details. It’s a very unique card for that someone special.

This is one of my favourite cards

Each card comes with a printed lining envelope and papyrus signature gold foil sticker. And the card can also be framed as a work of art afterwards.

The Golden Peacock with embroidered birds and floral detailing

Another new addition is my Kiku Stationery Cabinet Set. With a beautiful assortment of blank cards, thank you notes, envelopes and seals, this stationery set is a wonderful gift to any letter-writing lover. This design is based off my painting Kiku, which was inspired by my recent trip to Japan. Comes with 6 blank cards, 6 thank you notes, envelopes and 18 decorative seals all in a lovely keepsake box. The inside lid of the box includes the quote: “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind in the present moment” – Buddha.

There's really no excuses for sending that someone special a handwritten note.

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/news/new-papyrus-stationery/feed/2Retail Snapshots – Australiahttp://www.chrischun.com/travel/retail-snapshots-australia/
http://www.chrischun.com/travel/retail-snapshots-australia/#commentsSat, 21 Sep 2013 04:01:07 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10124As textile designers, we’re often stressed about the importance of design and making sure that the pattern and scale are perfect. But equally as important if not more, is the use of colour. Colour is what sells a product – it’s the first thing that draws our attention in a store full of products. It […]

]]>As textile designers, we’re often stressed about the importance of design and making sure that the pattern and scale are perfect. But equally as important if not more, is the use of colour. Colour is what sells a product – it’s the first thing that draws our attention in a store full of products. It doesn’t mean necessarily that the colour has to be bright but the right shade and colour combination is key. Here are some snapshots of ‘home’ when I was doing some market research in Sydney and Melbourne. I also visited LifeInStyle too which is probably Australia’s premier design retail trade fair.

Missoni almost always brings a distinctive, fresh and sophisticated colour palette to all their products

I noticed a bit of purple around in all different shades and pattern motifs. Purple can convey a feeling of royalty & richness to soft and soothing.

I love the bright fuschia pinks and tangerine oranges. It really 'pops' in store and definitely makes you feel energised!

Some snapshots from Life InStyle Fair at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne.

This was a key trend I picked from the show - monotone/ 2 colour screenprints on linen. Everyone seemed to be doing it!

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/travel/retail-snapshots-australia/feed/0Anyone for Tea?http://www.chrischun.com/travel/anyone-for-tea/
http://www.chrischun.com/travel/anyone-for-tea/#commentsSun, 15 Sep 2013 08:33:47 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10101On my recent trip to Taipei, I was amazed at how many gorgeous tea shops there were around town. I mean, everywhere! ‘Tea is more popular than coffee here!’ Imagine Starbucks in every neighbourhood but instead of the cookie cutter look, picture beautiful shop interiors with handmade ceramic tea ware showcased alongside artisanal, hand made […]

]]>On my recent trip to Taipei, I was amazed at how many gorgeous tea shops there were around town. I mean, everywhere! ‘Tea is more popular than coffee here!’ Imagine Starbucks in every neighbourhood but instead of the cookie cutter look, picture beautiful shop interiors with handmade ceramic tea ware showcased alongside artisanal, hand made teas? Fabulous.

ArtYard Mingei is one of the fabulous tea shops in Taipei showcasing art and contemporary design.

Beautiful Interior and Shop Display

Showcasing some of the different wares and glazes by artists

I thought this was a very clever idea. Taiwan is home to the Xiao Long Bao (steamed soup dumplings). These were containers and salt&pepper shakers - a great gift idea to remind you of Taipei.

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/inspiration/chiang-mai-colours-burnt-red/feed/0Sydney Visithttp://www.chrischun.com/travel/sydney-visit/
http://www.chrischun.com/travel/sydney-visit/#commentsThu, 29 Aug 2013 02:33:52 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10053Last month, I made a quick trip back home for work and to visit friends & family. Here are some of my Instagram highlights:

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/travel/sydney-visit/feed/0The Unveiling!!http://www.chrischun.com/news/the-unveiling/
http://www.chrischun.com/news/the-unveiling/#commentsThu, 20 Jun 2013 12:56:29 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10033Two months, alot of patience, dedication and with lots of support – my journey with Elephant Parade has finally finished (for the meantime). Wow – what an experience!! I still can’t really believe that I painted those 2 elephants especially when I look at my very first photos of the elephants arriving in the studio. […]

]]>Two months, alot of patience, dedication and with lots of support – my journey with Elephant Parade has finally finished (for the meantime). Wow – what an experience!! I still can’t really believe that I painted those 2 elephants especially when I look at my very first photos of the elephants arriving in the studio. It was very scary but challenging at the same time as I have never painted anything this big before, let alone in 3D. I am very happy and proud of my 2 designs; both elephants showcase my different skills and my love of flowers and antique textiles.

This week, Elephant Parade generously hosted a Bon Voyage Party for Maa Lii and Cornelephant (painted by my talented friend Natchai Posrila) at Elephant Parade House – the flagship store here in Chiang Mai. Both elies are heading off to be part of the very first Elephant Parade in the USA. You can find out further details here.

With the Elephant Parade Founders & EP Team and Cornelephant by Natchai Posrila

The Elephant Parade Party is in full swing. Photo by Jennie McGuire

The Unveiling of Maa Lii

Maa-Lii was inspired by the wonderful abundance of orchids here in Chiang Mai

Can you guess how many different orchid species are painted?

Some of the other wonderful elephants painted by other artists. I think there have been over 800 elephants painted! Photo by Jennie McGuire

Over the last 100 years, the number of Asian elephants has decreased by 90%. Today, there are approximately 35,000 Asian elephants left throughout Asia. Almost 150,000 Asian elephants died in the last 25 years. In Thailand there are just 4,000 elephants left, of which only 1,500 live in the wild.

If we don’t take action now, the Asian elephant will become extinct in a couple of decades.

]]>http://www.chrischun.com/news/the-unveiling/feed/0Anywhere Magazinehttp://www.chrischun.com/news/anywhere-magazine/
http://www.chrischun.com/news/anywhere-magazine/#commentsSun, 02 Jun 2013 03:52:26 +0000chrishttp://www.chrischun.com/?p=10020I was recently featured in the uber cool lifestyle magazine ‘Anywhere’ from Bangkok, Thailand. I was asked to write about what inspires me. Here’s the translation for those of us who don’t read Thai: Travel is one of my greatest passions in life. I think I was born with wanderlust. You could in fact, say […]

]]>I was recently featured in the uber cool lifestyle magazine ‘Anywhere’ from Bangkok, Thailand. I was asked to write about what inspires me.

Am I one of Asian Delights LOL?

Here’s the translation for those of us who don’t read Thai:

Travel is one of my greatest passions in life. I think I was born with wanderlust. You could in fact, say that I am a Wanderluster – I love exploring new places, learning about new cultures, meeting new people and most especially, eating my way through the local food scene. Great meals are like holiday snapshots for me. They’re just as good as photos and provide fantastic memories.

Being Australian, it is considered a rite of passage when you are young to go travel overseas and see the rest of the world. In my 20’s, I left my first design job, sold my car and packed up my whole life to go backpacking around Africa and Europe. I was away for 3 years and had the most incredible time both on a professional and personal level.

One of my fondest memories was living and working in Rome for 6 months. I worked with a famous textile studio called Faro Disegni, working with a wonderful group of designers, artisans including some old Italian ladies who had been creating designs for 30 years. We sold designs to companies like Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, etc’ I was painting, working with exquisite silks and velvets, doing embroideries…it was so inspiring and so much fun.

It was definitely ‘La Dolce Vita’ (the sweet life). I had a gelati every day I lived there and I loved sampling all the local specialities. Like the Chinese (my heritage), the Italians love their food. I always use to joke “there could be an earthquake going on, but they will still sit down to a 3 course lunch with wine”.

Inspiration Wanderlust

Both my parents were chefs and had a couple of restaurants in Melbourne, where I was born and grew up. Our parents took us out to eat at restaurants from an early age and it provided us with a wonderful foundation for the future. It’s amazing how much I learnt watching my parents cook as a child. (When I first arrived in London, I worked as a chef for 3 months because I could not get a design job anywhere first).

My partner and I have been living here in Chiang Mai for the past 2 years. There is a peaceful and charming vibe about the place that I was immediately attracted to. I am not sure if it is due to the number of wats here but the lifestyle is very easy and the local people are lovely. After travelling and scouting for places to base ourselves in Asia, Chiang Mai stood out from the pack.

As an artist and designer, I find constant inspiration everywhere – from Kamtieng Flower Markets just behind my studio to the exquisite woven textiles and handicrafts. Chiang Mai has a rich history and I love being able to connect to some of the artisans and craftspeople here. At the moment, I am collaborating on a new range of products with Sop Moei Arts, a company which promotes the skills and handicrafts of the Karen Hill Tribe. I am also making my own ceramics, exploring printmaking again and even painting a couple of 5 ft fibreglass elephants!

My art celebrates the joy of life! I like to bring a smile to people’s faces and being able to connect to people through my work. I also like to incorporate my wanderlust in my paintings and convey that sense of discovery in my work. People are always constantly surprised when they see my work close up – something they think was painted, is actually embroidered or hand stitched.